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« AEORC4IA TEL By 31. & E. E. Bartlett. MACOJY, Georgia, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24,1835. Volume X....Number 26 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. 'fdhtTCitten* «f the X-nnte ami House of Representatives : Tn the discharge of my offirinl duty, ilio task „j n devolves upon ntc of communicating witlin w Congress. Tim reflection that the ropre- ^ntatioD «f «he Union bus recently been renew- i t mnl that the constitutional '.erin of its service ill rxpire with tnv mvn, heightens the solicitude with which I shall attempt to lay before it the ,nateofnnr national concerns, and the devout Hi>pe which I cherish, tint its labors to improve piP'ii may be crowned with success. You are assembled at a period of profound int erest to tho Americnu Patriot. The unexampled growth and prosperity of our country having giv en us « rank in the scale of nations' which rem oves all apprehensions of danger to our integr ily and imtcpondeuco from external foes, the career of freedom is before us. with an earnest from the past, if true to ourselves, tliore can be no formi dable obstacle in the future, to its peaceful and uninterrupted pursuit. Yet in proportion to the disappem auec of those apprehensions which at tended ear weakness, ns oucecontrasted with the power of soino of the states of the old world. should we now he solicitous ns to those that lie- lone t" the conviction that it is to our own con duct that we must look for the preservation of those causes on which depend ilia excellence & the duration of our happy system of govern m’t. In the example of other systems, founded on the will "f the people, we trace to internal dissen sion the influences which have so often bloated the hopes of the friends of freedom. The social clement*. which were strong and successful when united against external danger, failed in ths more difficult task of properly adjusting their own in ternal organization, and thus gave way the great principle of self government. Let us tiint that ihi«admonition will never he forgotten by the Govemmeut or the l’eople of the United States: and that the testimony which our experience thus far holds out ta the jpYM human family, of the pneiicubility anil tho blessings of freo governin'! will be confirmed in all time to coido. \Yc bas e but to look at the state of our agri culture. manufactures and commerce, and the nnrxainpled increase of our population, to feel the great magnitude of the trust committed to us. Never in any former period of our history, have we had greater reason than we now h ?ve, to be thankful to Divine Providence for the bles sings of health and general prosperity. Every branch of labor we see crowned with the mns» a- bmidant rewards : in every element of national resources and wealth, and of individual comfort, we witness the most rapid & solid improvements With no interruptions to this pleasing prospect at home, which will not yield to the spirit of har mony uud good will, that so strikingly pervades the mass of the people in every quarter, amiJst nil the diversity of interest and pur suits to which they nre attached : and with no ennte rf solicitude in regard io our external af fairs. which will not. it is hoped, disappear be fore ilia principles of simple justice, ami the for bearance that marks our intercourse with foreign powers,—we hove every reasou to feel proud of our beloved country. The general stnteof our Foreign Relations baa uot materially changed since my Inst animal mes sage. In the settlement of ths question of »he North- Eastern boundary little progress has beer, made, Greit Britain has declin'd nrceding to the propo •ition of ilio United S:atc», presented in accord ance with the resolution of the Senate, unless certain preliminary' conditions wero admitted, which I deemed incompatible with a satisfactory and rightful adjustment of the controversy. Wai- ting for some distinct proposal from the govern ment of Great Britain, which has been invited, I can only repeat the expression of mv confidence that with tho strong mutual disposition which I believe exists, to make n jnst arrangement, thi* perplexing question ran he settled with a d.ie re gird to the well-founded pretensions and pacific policy of all the parties to it. Events are fre- qurnilv occnning on the Nnrth-F.astern frontier, of a character to impress upon nil the necessity of a spee Iv and definite termination of tho dis pute. This consideration, ndded to the drsire common to both, to relieve the liberal and friend ly relations so happily existing between the two countries, from all embarrassment, will no doubt have its iust influence upon both. Our Diplomatic intercourse with Portugal has simultaneous appointment by nil, of Ministers to negotiate with Spain, had not been made : the negotiation itself would have becu simplified, and this longstanding dispute, spreading over a large portion of the world, would have been bro’t ton tnorospeedy conclusion. Our political and commercial relations with Austria. Prussia, Sweden and Denmark, stand on the usual favorable basis. One of ths arti cles of our treaty with Russia, in relation to the trade on the North West coast or North America, having expired, instructions have hecu given to our Minister at St Petersburg, to negotiate n renewal of it. The long and unbroken amity between the two Governments, gives every rea* son for supposing the article will he renewed, if siroiigei motives do uot exist to prevent it, than with our view of the subject, can he nuticipaii-d here. I ask your attention to the message of nay pre decessor, at the opening of the second session of the nineteenth Congress, relative to our commer cial intercourse with Holland, and to the docum ents connected with that subject, communicated to the House of Representatives on the lOlli of January, 1"'25 aud ISth January, 1827. Coin ciding in the opinion of tny predecessor, that Holland is not, under tho regulation of her pres- enl system, entitled to have her vessels and their cargoes received into the United States on the footing of American vessels and cargoes, as re gards duties of tonnage aud impost, a respect for his reference of it to the Legislature, has alouo prevented me from actiug on the subject. 1 should still have waited without comment, for the action of Congress, hut recently a claim lias been made by B-dgiau subjects, to admission in to our ports, for their ships and cargoes, on the same footing as American, with the allegation we could not dispute, that our vessels receiv'd j veil their author! never denied our right to rep aration. Of the extent of these injuries, some conception may he formed from the fact, that af ter the burning of a largo amount at sea, and the necessary deterioration in other cases, hy deleu- tion, the American property so seized aud Mcri- ficed at furccd sales, excleTiiij, what was arjudg ed to privateers, before or without condcmua- fnuud regret at the decision of the Chambers, and j had been so frequently and solemnly announced ties between the two nations, would have been promised to send, forthwith a inliounl ship, with I as the ouly one compatible with tile ltouur of despatches to his Minister here, authorizing him J France, was maintained, aud the hill passed as, lo give such assurance* k* would satisfy the G«iv- nriguallv proposed, tho money would bo paid, eminent ami people of tho United States that j and there would he an cud of the unfortunate the tre..ty would yet he faithfully executed hy | controversy. Frxr.c* The nation d ship -.reived. and tee j ILn. ibis tlnreriug prospect was scon destroyed j fore their representativ Minister received his instructions. Clait&mg f J J>y an amendment introduced into the hill at the i Executive lias gone in i accepted ; and ! therefore did not hesitate to give it my sanction and full ipprobatinn. This was due to the .Minister who had made himself re sponsible-for the act; aud it was nuhlished to the People of tho United States, olid is now laid he- c-s. tn show how far their its endeavors to restore ;t tiau. brought inf .the French treasury apwrxds of, act under the authority ..5r;v>u ,from ihr, h- i moment ol its passage, providing that the money good understanding between ihe two countries twenty four millions of franc*, ’*.».• dr i j. .ive lo this Go^r/nuient, in tho nttne- of :is, the j slumM ti -* he ■'a.7 until tire French Govern in •••nr It would have been at any tim.-: communicated I M. . tme of :is, the j shonld he ;’a,». until rtta French Government ir.osf solotup assurances, that, as soon after tbs j h;, ! •vt-civ-d sM-ftfuclory explanations of th- o*w election as tho cha. » r would permit, the >’-aside* , ngc of the 2d December, 1834 ; i.v years uninterrupted urv 'nuu, except tar *• French Chamber* would be .convened, ant wlw. :-s> mar - extraordinary, the Presi- short time, when France was overwhelmed by . attornpt to procure the no-resittr. appropriation i J,.. ; ~ Corn ed of Minister< ad ipted this a- the military power of Europe. During j renewed: that ail the co.' .itutional powers o-' me nln T' and ‘onsonted to its incorporation jin this period. wi;il; Kl or » -ttii were extorting j the Khtg ami hi* rfinistotv should, he put in re- from her, payment c f f.Vi .urns at tLv poiut ofj caie> ,n to accoir'4i*Ji «hc oiij-et: aud ho wa the bayonet, too U.titcL * te* inti aiitfed thrirj undo/stood, and ro expressly i-formed by thi demand for justice, cot of ~iSj"~ ». to the oppres- j Gove rums at, nr tho time, 'to ongnge that tho Sail condition of a g-dhsut iv«nti t to whom they I question >hou!d hi pressed ' -v decision, at ape-: Kon*. ‘-eutiv.exts aud propositions wfricli they hr I .’ncii red-mth not justly he imputed to the itiii information of fell under obligations for *itvual urustaoce in , .iod -urii Testily on. iy to. y their uivu days of sufFeri i® a*jJ af icril- The j th*’ .-efr-Ji to La cot.amuuic.' od * r i Congress bad effects of theci V'-otrJjle-,' and unnvuiltng i nf their nsx, session. Bel; discussions, as well upt -unit thins wi i, France j in, *.aese assr anccs. I incurred tho resp-m I | IcIh-io'ci', were obvious; ■ as upon our uati and the line of du 1 ;.s o my mind equally so This was, either *;> .-i jsl opon the adjustment or our claims, within a r msonabh r«iod. or to a- baudou them n'.togeIftpr- 1 co jM not doubt that, by this conrse, the Merest au*l honor of he'll countries would (>.- lies, consulted. Instructions were, ther? fore, gi-en i : this spirit, to the Minis ter ttfio was sent . , once more to demand rep aration. Unon i» -neetiog of Congress, in De- ceniher. f ft-.v it my doty to speah if those claims, :.o i the delays of Fr -.jt’. in term - r .ii.u - luted t.. call tho soricas aucntt<* ; i oftioth '.tut’".- Ties to the subject. 7 do theo French f iiakiy rook vx . >u *o t*-t v.emge. on the ttsuad of it* c-mUiFvg ' wet .u, under which .« a*u«< in tf.cir ports tho identical treatment shoivu ’■ > j agreesldato ti. Fretichgorernmou. -i>oegotia»«. them in the ports of Holland, upon whose vessel* ! The ‘can Minister, -'fills seco*^ ro- siHh *, grtr‘. as 1 ro;;srJed it to .»»■, if stiffeiing L'otigrsss to separate without co-nmmiicnting with tlicr,j upon the subject. The cxpec'ntioK'jit ,tly founded mil m. tltos solemnly made to hy C t i France, were not Frouci; Ob -tubers met on the 3‘st o, July, IS.JL | . nlcsv ' h *>‘ ... soon afur the election, and altho.s^h our Minister j n,. of an opinion characterized by themselves in Paris o.gc- tit-. French Ministry U- press the ( ,; s personal and inoperative. •rdijcT t mn-.rothom, they declined doin^ so. Hej The concention tint it was my intention to next Ttsko- that tb? Chamber;- if p-ortigJ*ed j menace or insult the Government of France, is 'vitK it I'riT.v o R the caoject should I s rcassein- ns unfounded, ns the attoir.pt to extort from the 1 lied at period JO'carly, that their aclios on tin-1 fears of that nation what hor sense of justice may i/cat ; i might he in Washington f riar to dmy. would he vain and ridiculous. But the ] he m sating ottatgran. This roasenahle it- j constitution of the United States imposes on the quest xW n-'t niy deel - ed. but t Chambers t President the duty of laying before Congress the , tv- .. proro;, ed to is® Ssiltli of December, a oay condition of the country in its foreign and do- •ile.. that tbi’- decision, however at gently [ mestic relations, and of rccommen tin It would have beea at any tim;: communicated to the Government of Fraucc, had it bccu ofli- cial'v requested. The French Government liatic- reeoived all the explanation which honor ami principle per mitted, an.I Which eou il in reason he asked, it rr.-arir to a supposed insult which ! " as hoped it would uo lontrer hesi'ate to pay tho resented hy the recall of their instalments now due. The agent r.uthorized to receive (he money, wa» in.tructcd to inform tho French .Minister of his readiness to do so. in reply to this notice, lie was told that the money could not then he paid, because the founnlitics S lvertmca ' ■ 'Vo'ple of tho United States, are) required hy the act or the Char ,bun had uot been ao* j- *«»•; To ilio pnrformaLce of an nc( j arr.i-igcd. r --edsi 1 jus*;' ! to tiint Government and peo- f Not htivii tho hid. had heec ‘lini:tc .-'nixi iho offer of passports to ours, they now, f irthe -st »»ne, prop .sen lo ask exfdana ccivcd nitv oBaLS c ommmiica- Pi .-. n h h.-ii declared that the honor «f| »•>« of the iuientious of tin- French Govcnnii nr, Fra-ve reui,ir8. > Cm fulfilment of tho engage- »•«* anxious to bring. e» far as practicable, this ... hieh the King had enteied, tinlesi j unpleasant affair to a elose licforn ttje meclmg of - intAituro-i as mnv, in his opinion, ho rfequiretl* l>y its interests. From die performance of this duty he cannot tin deterred bv the fear of wounding The /MMM* given by tlio Ministry for re \ .he sensibilities of the people or Government of in fact enjoyed, when Belgium and Holland were | I'r-\’: ..:i)''» m t*<agc was a co',.;ni.r nation ad- umted under one Government. Satisfied witn I dressu., *. the justice of their pretensions to he placed on f.'o.ijrrc*. of (a. LuireJ States, in which it was the samo footing with Holland, 1 could not. nov-! cujoic -d »>, < • him. hy the constitution, to Jay ertfieleis, without disregard to the principle* of hofor »b\ i «b information of the attJu of the our laws, admit their claim to be treated as A- j Ui roc, com*.r-diMiding it* foreign -l we.'l as its- merienns; ami at the same time, a respect fur - 5s; -i «»i "tv'rroi; ami that if, in --ko discharge Congress, lo whom the subject had long since ‘ ui '.liu * '{y felt it incumbn.t upon hira »• been referred, has prevented me from producing a just cq*i lify, l») taking from the vessels of llollanil, privileges conditionally granted hy acts of Congress, although the condition upon whirl) the grant was made, has in my judgment, failed since lt:22. 1 r« commend, therefore, a leview of the act of 1824, and such a modification of it as will produce nn equality, on such terms as Congress shall think best eonipo-t* with our set tled policy, aud the obligations of justice to two friendly powers. With tie Sublime Porte, and all the Govern ments on the const of Barhary. our relations con tinue to he friendly. The proper steps have been taken to renew our treaty with Morocco. The Argentine Republic has again promised lo send, within the current year, a Minister to the United States. A Cou' ention with Mexico for extending tho time for ilio appointment of Commissioners to run the boundary hue, has been cr-orludcd. nnd / will ho submitted to the Senate. Recent events in that country have awakened the liveliest so licitude in the U. State*. Aware of the strong temptations exisliug, and powerful inducements held out to citizens of the U. States, to mingle in the dissensions of our immediate neighbors, ins tructions have been given to the District At tor nevsof the U. Stales, whero indications warrau- ted it, to prosecute without*respect to persons, all who might a'tcmpt to violate the obligations of our neutrality: while at the same time, it li t* been thought necessary to apprize tits Govern ment of Mexico, that we should require the iu- (egrity of our territory' to he scrupulously respec ted. hy both parties. From our Diplomatic Agents in Brazil, Chili Peru. Central America. Venezuela, and New- Grcnnda. constant assurances are received of the continued good understanding with the Gov ernments to which they arc severally accredited. With those Governments upon which our citizens have valid and accumulating claims, scarcely an advance towards a settlement of them is made, ) owing, mainly to their distracted stale, or to the - '•‘ore.gti govern.neti'.i, hut 'o the j fusing to couvo?, ' she ( Vv a >ari at au oa lier pe riod, were aftorwards sho.roi not to ho imupera- F'o, hy their aett a: convocation on tin* 1st 4 December, undora spt ; ,t) call for domestic pur poses, which far ' how*r. - iid not become l.notvu to this Govern ii;uutt-i-Vr the coia r.enco inent of the last if Congress. Thus dUai. ' .rfted in our jot-1 ox.peetai.onv. i v ''«o my i operative -’ tv t consult wit! 7on- gr> :s in r '.gard to tho ot...-iHtioney of a res *rt t. retaliatory rmanre*, tn : *.s* ’h i «tipn!ati( .is of the treaty sho’dd not lie speedily complied with; and to ro< oiumendsnch a? mv jodgme-.. the ooepsioc called f< '1'c . bis ru-., an unre, • red ..i.rav'iicauon of the cast. , in a’! its aspects, be- imo indisneusable. To h.;v *• sfintnk, in making nr suiniv m -ie .>t!«n*ion of CongTsj* i. -uotime trhru migbf he the. possi'le . mseqirs:.-®* i- • uiiTic-dtics with any foreign G-iverun .' .gl)‘ fi'i ' suppos 'd ‘.o do so, UQr ;t , v.;„,. «• * k *» ■ me from him in a frank com inuni • i • i-‘; azr-ther branch of his own Govern- m at, and not f. jir any ii. of holding » menace over a for. gn power. .i r . risw* ta‘-'er. hy hii»- iceivcd u?v apo.oiir‘nm T the fteMb been renewed, and, it i* expected that ihe claims of our citizens partially paid, will he fnl- Iv satisfied as soon ns the condition ofthe Queen’s Government will permit the proper attention to the subject of them. That Government has, 1 am happy to inform yon, manifested a determin- atioato act npon tho"liberal principles that have marked our po'icv,—the hnpniest effects upon the future trade bero-en the U States nud^ Por tugal, nre anticipated from it. nnd tho time is not thourht to he remote when a system of perfect reciprocity will he cstnh!i«hcd 'I lie instalments due under ihe convention with the King of the Two Sicilies, have been paid with that scrupulous fidelity by which bis whole conduct lias been characterised, and the hope is indulged that the adjustment of the vexed ques tion ofonr claims will he followed by n more extended and mutually beneficial intorconr«o be tween the two countries. The interna! contest still continues in Spain. Distinguished ns this struggle has unhappily been by incidents of the mosi sanguinary chasacter. the obligations of tile Into treaty of indemnifica tion with us, have nevertheless, been faithfully executed hy the Spanish Government. No provision having been made at the last ses sion of Congress for the ascertainment of tho claims to ho paid, and the apportionment of the funds, under tho Convention made with Spain, I invite your early attemion to the subject. The evidences of the debt, have ac<*irding to the terms of the Convention, and in the forms pre scribed by it, been placed in possession of the U. States; nnd tho interest as it fell duo has been regularly paid upon them. Our commercial in tercourse with Cuba stands as regulated by the Oct of Congross. No recent information has been received as to the disposition of the Governm’t at Madrid on this subject, nnd the lamented death of our recently appointed Minister on his way to Bpain, with the pressuro of affair* at home, ren der it scarcely probable that any change is to he looked for during the coming year. Further por tions of the Florida Archives have been scut to the U. States, although the death of one of the Commissioners at n critical moment, embarrass ed the progress of tho delivery of them. Tho pressuro of imperative domestic questions. Our patience has been, and will probably ho still fur ther sorely tried ; hut our fellow-citizens whose interests are involved, may confida in the deter mination <>f the Government, to obtain for thorn eventually, ample retribution Unfortunately many of the nations of this hemis phere are still seif-tormented by domestic dissen sions. Revolution succeeds Revolution; inju ries arc committed upon foreigners eogag.d in lawful pursuits, much time elapses before a Government sufficiently stable is erected tojusl- ify expectation of redress. Ministers are sent &. received, and before the discussions of past inju ries arc fairly begun, fresh Irouhlcs arise; hut too frequently new injuries nro added to the old, to he discuss’d together, with tho existing Govern men!, after it lias proved its ability to sustain the assaults made upon it. or with its successor, if o- verthrown. If this uuhappy condition of things continues much longer, other nations will he un der tho painful necessity of decidiug whether justice tn their suffering citizens docs not require a prompt redress of injuries, hy theirown power, without waiting fir the establishment of a Gov ernment competent and enduring enough to dis cuss and to make satisfaction for them. Since the last session of Congress, the validity of our claims upon France, ns liquidated hy the treaty of 1831, has been acknowledged by both hrnuclics of her Legislature, nnd the money has beeu appropriated for their discharge, hut the payment is, I regret to inform you, still withheld. A brief recapitulation of the most important incidents in this protracted controversy, will show how utterly untenable are the grounds upon which this course is attempted to be justified. On entering upon the clinics of my station. I found tho U. Slates nn unsuccessful applicant to the justice of France, for the satisfaction of claims, the validity of which was never quest ionable, and has now been most solemnly admit ted hy France herself. The antiquity of these claims, their high justice, nnd tho aggravating circumstances out af which they aroso. are too familiar to the American People to require de scription. It is sufficient to say. that, for a peri od of ten years aud upwards, our commerce Gover. a at was satisfied, tad Fie oevr-tiatron i :< from «ay : ug ail that was necessary toils enr- wa* co.» siut'. It terml - in -ho feats of I eect understanding, mid that tho truth we hid JuL *, t $»l. .-(cognising tiiejusticc of our claims | justify, for 'ear of giving offenev to others, would in part, end promising or- ir W suonct; have* hoeo anworthy of us. To Have gone, on of twenty-five millions of iVhwa- io Ax aatiav ! the other hand, a single step further, for the p:tr- P*is5 of woanding the piido of a Government ftd people with whom we had so many motives Ms. insist T.v ratifications of this ironiy m** exchanged at \V *i,‘ugtoaosi the 2d of Fehrun. f, 1332, atm in five day* (hereafter it wn* laid Ovforo Con gress. who >ma; .liatcly pnsv.d he v u necessa ry, on < ur |» >r*. to secure to t’.unce the oti- uicrcin 1 nd"»r.’at,'cs conceded -.••• h.i» ti r com pact. Thrttr. aty had previotbW bee*, solemnly ratified hy 0- Kiugof the Fre-.-hiu u which are cet ’? ,iol mere matter* e." ror.,,j asj «rf which th- translation is a? follows: “AVf approving tho abrve couv«jtion n a!' and each cTthc disp-soio*. i»hi A ro ' ,;aiue.I in it, do 4-clare by oti.-seivea, r* vast a* nj c;r heirs anil surcessors. that it is .v r/t'-e. •ppf-av- ed, ratified and cunfirmod * jd J-.y -i: »e pres- ents. sigr.^o by cur hand, .s.v t < r tpt, approve, ratify, and coafina il; p g, oc tho faith a:'d word of a King, *o r*.- v" ii dH to cause it to he observed inviol»*'iy, s. i' * o«t era. 1 contra vening it, or suite- ir , it ’» K t.ontravcn«d, di rectly or iitdii-ec*',. ':r ktt jscso, or under any pretence wimuiw ic- Official inf Tmatin F ln< exchange *»f ..Etficrt- tious in the U: — Stay-, .'sneited P iri* whilst the Chamber >• mi »e»,i : ->n. The extraordin ary, and to i. ■ i-'js-rions, delays cf the French Government r*r rItiar aetiott upon tho subject of fulfilment, have been heretofore stated to Congress, an f h . ao disposition to enlarge upon them h< f . is sufficit-tu to observe that the then pend! ; se *i/»i ras olloT.'cd to expire, ^without eva. w effort to eV tic the necessary appropriation*— 1uk. ths ;v»o succeeding ones were also sutured • j pass away without any thing like a serious uipt to obtain a decision upon the subject—aou that it was not until the fourth session— s'must thr-je years after the con clusion of ihe tre .y, and more than two years after the exchange of ratifications —that tho bill for the execution of the troity was pressed to a vor , md rejected. In the mean time, the Gov ernment of the Uuitcd States, haying full confi dence that a treaty entered into nnd ?o solemnly ratified by the French King, would bo executed iu good faith, and not doubting that provision would he made for the payment of the first in stalment which was to bocotne due on the second oay of February. 1833, negotiated a draft for the amount through the Bank of the U. States. When this draft was presented hy tho holder, with tho credentials required hy the treaty to au thorize him to receive tho money, tho Govern ment of France allowed it to be protested. In addition to the injury in tho non payment of the money hy France, conformably to her engage ment, the United -States were exposed to a heavy claim on the part of the Bank under pretence of damages, in satisfaction of which, that institution seized upon, aud still rctaius.an unequal amount of tho public moneys. Congress was in session when tho decision of tho Chambers reached Washington; and an immediate communication of this apparently final decision of Franco not to fulfil the stipulations of the treaty, was tha course naturally to be expected from the President.— Tho deep tone of dissatisfaction which pervaded lor cultivating relation* of amity and rociprocal advantage, would have been unwise and improp er. ^monished by the nasi, of tho difficulty of making evon »ho simplest statement of- our wrongs without disturbing tho seusihilities of whom it may become necessary to speak: and tho American People aro incapable of submit ling to an interference by any Government ou Till, however powerful, with the tree perfor- inxnre ofthe domestic du'ies which the constitu tion tins imposed on ilu-ir public functionaries.— The discussions which intervene between the sev eral departments of onr Government belong lo ourselves; and for any thing said in them, our public servants are only responsible to their own constituent*, and to each other. If. in thocourse of tbeir consultations, facts are erroneously slat- oil, or unjust deductions are made, they require no other inducement to correct them, however in formed of their error, than their love of justice, and what it duetn their own character: but they can never submit to be interrogated upon the subject as a matter of right, by a foreign power. When our dis-tissious terminate in acts, onr re sponsibility to foreign powers commences, not as individuals, but as a nation. The princpla which call* in question the President for the language of his mes«age, would equally justify a foreign power in demanding explanation of the language used iu th« report of a committee, or hy a mem ber in debate. Thi* i3 not the fi st time that the Government of France has taken exception to the messages those who had, hy their position, bocoino respnn- „f Vm-rican Presidents. President Washington sitiTe for their redress, and earnestly desirous of preventing farther obstacles from that source, I we ■■■ out of my way to pro elude a construction o: ?;;•> message, by which the recommendation that was made to Gotigrcss might be regarded as x men ice to France, in not only disavowing such a ties gif. hut in declaring that her prido and her p/ wer ware too welt known to oxpoct any thing from her fears. The message did not reach Par is until more than a month after tho Chambers iiad been iu sevUii, anil such v*as theinsensibili tyof the Ministry to our rightful claims and just expectations, that e:ir Minister had been inform ed, th it the matter, when introduced, would not he pressed ns a Cabinot measure. Although the ■ » r isago was not officially com municated tn 'ho French Government, and not withstanding tho declaration to the contrary which it contained, the French Ministry decided to consider tho conditional recommendation of reprisals, a menace and an insult, winch the hon or of tho aylioH made it incumbent ou then* to resent. The measures resorted to hy them to j evince their sense of tho supposed indignity, were, the immediate recall of their Minister at \Va9hiugt0u, tho offer of passports to the Ameri can Miuister at Paris, and a public notice to the Legislative Chambers that all diplomatic inter course with the United States had beou suspend ed Having, in this manner, vindicated the dignity of France, they next proceeded to illustrato her justico. To this end, a bill was immediately in troduced into the Chamber of Deputies, propos ing to make tho appropriations necessary to car ry into effect the treaty. As this hill subsequent ly passed into a law, the provisions of which now constitute the main subject of difficulty between the two nations, it becomes my duty, iu older to place tho subject before you irt a clear light, to trace the history of its passage, and to refor. n ith soino particularity, to tho proceedings and dis cussions iu regard to it. Tho Minister of Finance, in his opening speech, alluded to the measures which had boon adopted to resent the supposed indignity, aud recommondcd the execution of the treaty as a measure required by the honor aud justice of Franco. Ho, as tho organ of tho Min istry, declared the message, so long as it had not received the sanction of Congress, a more e.\ pressiou of the personal opinion of the President for which neither the Government nor the Peo ple of tho Uuitod States were responsible- and that an engagement had been entered into, for the fulfilment of which tho houor of Franco was pledged. Entertaining these views, tho single condition which the French Ministry proposed to annex to the payment of tho money, was, that it should not be made until it was ascertained that tho public mind, and the correspondent excite- j the Govcrumeut of the United States had done meat prodneed in Congress hy only a general J nothing tn injure the interests of Franco; or, iu knowledge of the result, rendered it more than other words, that uo steps had been authorized higher officers of l5:i local Government have re-1 was, with hut little interruption, the subject of centlv shown an noxious desire, iu com pliance ffhh tho order* of tho parent Government, to fa cllitato the selection and delivery of all wo have * tie hr to claim. Negotiations havo been opened at Madrid for •he establishment of a lasting peace between Spain and sueh of tho Kpan. Am. Govemm’ts of constant aggressions on ths part of Prance—ag- gro*sions, the ordinary features of which, were condemnations of vossels and cargoes under ar bifrarv decrees, adopted iu contravention, at well of the laws of nations, as of treaty stipulations : burning on the high seas, and seizures and con fiscations under special imperial rescripts, in the •hi* hemisphere, ns havo nvai'cd themselves ofi ports of other nations occupied by ihe armies, or •ho hltimatioiis given to nil of them, of the dis- j under the control of France. Such, it is uow position of ripain to treat npon tho basis of their 1 conceded, is tho character ot tho wrongs we suf- fntii-A 1 f. • . • entire indepeiidonca. It is to he regretted that] ferod; wrongs in many casor, so flagrant, that e- xpressed, through our Minister at Paris, his pro- prohalde, that a resort to immediate measures of redress would be the consequence of calling tho attention of that body to tho subject. Sincerely lesirous of preserving the pacific relations which had so long existed between the two countries, I was anxious to avoid this course if I could be satisfied that, hy doing so, ueilher tho interests no'- tho houor of my country would be compro- miued. Without the fullest assurances upou that point, I could not hope to acquit myself of tho responsibility to he incurred iu suffering Con gress to adjourn without layiug the. subject be fore them. Those received by rao were believed to bo of that character. That the feelings produced in tho United States bv the news of the rejection Gf the appropriation, would be such as I have described them to have 1* eu. was foreseen hy the French Government, 1.id prompt ine.-nures were taken by it to pre vent the consequences. The King, in person. by Congress of a hoslilo character towards France. What the disposition or action of Congress might he, was then unknown to the French Cab iuet. But on the 14th of January the Senate re solved, that it was at that time inexpedient to adopt any legislative measures- in regard to tile state of affairs between tho United States and France, aud no action on tho subject had occur red in the House of Representatives. These facts wore known in Paris prior to the 23th of March, 1835. when tho committed to whom the bill of indemnification had‘.icon referred, reported it to the Chamber of Deputies. That committee substantially re-echoed tho sentiments of the Ministry, declared that Congress bad set aside th? proposition of the President, and recommended the passage of the bill without any other restric tion than that originally proposed. Thus was it known to the French Ministry and Chambers, that if the position assumed by them, aud which and the first President Adams, in th*. perform a nee of their duties to the American People, fell under the animadversions of the French Directo ry. The objection taken by tho Ministry of Charles tho Tenth, and removed by the expla nations made by otir Minister npon the spot, has already been adverted to. When it was under stood that the Ministry of the present King took exception to my mes<a*e of last year, putting a construction upon it which was disavowed on its face, onr late Minister at Paris, iu answer to the uoto which first announced a dissatisfaction wi ll the Inngurgc used tn the message, made com munication to the French Government, under dato of tho 2l)th of Janua.-y, 1835. calculated to remove all impressions, which an unreasonable susceptibility bad createn- flo repeated, and called the .attention of tho French Government to the disavowal contained iu the message itself, of any i‘.teniioe to intimidate hy menace—he truly declared that it contained, and was intend ed n tonUiiii. no cl. irao of ill faith against the King ui the r, 'rench, properly dl- r ‘iigiii*hed hetT-c.-a tiv \rhito v npl»it., ini' c? iptioua- hle terms, ot :V omiisi- >0 exti-ote ai: agree ment, and an accusation at hm' .str.iive. Hi "iirl - hulding such execution ; nut' dent •>jsWn'ed lhai the necessary use of that right ought uot to he considered as nil offensive imputation. Although this communication was made without instruc tions. and en'irely on ihe Minister’s own respon sibility, yet it was afterwards made the act of this Government hy my full approbation, and that approbation was officially made kuowu, ou the 25th of April, 1835, to the Fretich Govern ment. It, however, failed to have any effect — The law, af'er thi* friendly explanation, passed wi'h the obnoxious amendment, supported hy the King’s Ministers, and was finally approved hy the King. The People of the United States are justly at tached to a pacific system in their intercourse with foreign nations. It is proper, therefore, that tiny should know whether their Govern mont has adhtred lo it- In tho present iustauce, it has been carried foth utmost extent, that was cousis'ent with a becoming self-respect- The note of the 29th of January, to which I have be fore alluded, was not the only one which our Minister took upon himself the responsibly of presenting, on the same subject, and in the same spirit. Finding that it was intended to make the payment of a just debt dependent on the per formance of a condition which he knew could never he complied with, he thought it a duty to mako another attempt to convince the French Government, that whilst self-respect and regard to the dignity of other nations would always pre vent us from using auy language that ought to give nffeiice.yot ivo could never admit a right in or, m |)y foreign Gov’t to ask explanations of, or to interfere in any manner ill, the communications which one branch of our public councils made with another: that iu the present cn*e, no such language had hceu used, and that this had iu a former note been fully aud voluntarily stated be fore it was oon'et- plated to make the explana tion a condition ; aud that there might he uo misapprehension, he stated the terms used in that note, aud he officially informed them that it had been approved by the President, and that, there fore, evert explanation which could reasonably be asked, or honorably giveu, had been already made—that the con'cmpiatod measure bad been anticipated by a voluntary aud friendly declara tion. uud was therefore not only uscle.ss; but might be deemed offensive, nnd certainly would not he complied with, if annexed as a condition. When this latter communication, to which I peciallv invite tho attention nf Congress, was laid before me, I entertained tho hope that the means it was obviously Intended to afford, of an honorable and speedy ,idjustmcut of tho difficul- eveui of their refusal to pay ihe iiisci.lrr.euts upu* due, without further explanations, lo return "to. the United Stales. The result of this last application lias ird yet reached us, hat is daily expected. Tha'd may he favorable, is my sincere wish. Franc having now. through till the branches ofher Govennqput, acknowledged the validity of our c'aimy.anl the obligation ofthe treaty of 1831, and tiler?, really existing no adequate cause for further delay " ill at length, it may he imped adopt the course w hich -lie interests of both uafious, nut less than the'principles oi justice, so imperiously, require. The treaty being ones executed on hci part, will remain to disturb thoffricndly relations nfu.n two countries; nothing indeed which wi'i nuC yield to tho suggestions o r a pacific and enlightened policy, and to the influence of that mutual g.od will,and those generous recollections, which wo may confidently expect will then be revived ir all their ancient force. Iu auy event, however, the principle Involved in the new aspect which'has been given lo the controversy, is so vitally important to tho ititlrpen • dent administration of the Government, iljrs.t it cau ueilher he surrendered nor compromittcd without national degradation. 1 hope it is ui.-- ueccssary forme to sav that such a sacrifice -vip. not he made through any agency of mine. The honor of my country shall never bo stained by apology from me, for the statement of truth c.hI the performance of duty; nor can I give ai»y ex planation of tny official acts, except such as i* due to integrity aud justice, atsd consistent with tile principle on which our institutions have been framed. This determination will. I am confident he approved hy my constituents. I have, indeed studied their character to lout little purpose, i font sum of tweutv five millions of francs will havo the weight of a feather in the estimation of tv app^rlaiiis to their national independence; if, unhappily, a different impression should a' auy time obtain, in nuy quarter, they will, I etn srre, rally round the Government of their ch> ;ce, with alacrity and tintuimity, and silence forever the degrading imputation. Having thus fraukly presented to yon tae cir cumstances which, since the last session -:?l Con gress have occurred in this interesting aud impor tant matter, with tho views of the Executive in regard to them, it is at this time only necessary to add, that ivheuevcr the advices, now daily ex pected from our Charge d’ Affaire* shall havo been received, they will be made the subject of a special communication. The couditin;i of tho public fiuances was never more flattering than at the present period. •Since my last cotnniuuca'iou, all tho remains 1 of ihe public debt, have been redeemed, or mon ey lias been placed i 11 deposite for this purpose, whenever the creditors choose to receive it. All the other pecuniary engagements of tho Govern ment have been honorably and promptly fulfill ed, and there will bo a balance in the Treasury, at tho close of the prescut year, of about nino- tecn millions of dollars. It is believed, that af ter inectiiig.al! outstanding and unexpended ap propriation*, there will remain near eleven mil- i.msto ho applied to any new objects which °aa- I gross may designate, or to the more rapid - xc- rutioj of the works now in progress, In aitv.nT iliesa objects, aud to satisfy the current qxpeadt ltures, ®f .he castling year, it is cstinm ed that- there will ue received, from various sources, 2 f J millions more, iu laite- X -j) Should Congress make new npptopr- ’’-mis. 111 conformity with the estimate! whr u v ill be submitted from tho va , res dt aytincu 'v r-vi/airt- liugto about twenty f< ,; i. r,.‘.;.'«®ns, st: 1 du»-mai lable surplus at the close o'; :hr '»-** wter deducting all tmexpeudod appropriatWM*. "ill probably he not less than six millions, l ha sjtn can,- in my judgment. :ia now usefully applied,, to proposed improvements, in our Navy yards, and to new national works, which are not enum erated iu the present estimates, or to the moire rapid completion of those already begun. Ei ther would he constitutional and. useful, aud would render imuesessar> any attempt, in our present peculiar condition, to divide the surplus revenue, or to reduce it auy faster than «ill he effected hy '.he existing laws. In any event, as the animal report from the Secretary of the l’rea-. sury will enter into details, shun ing the proba bility of some decrease in the revenuo during the uext seven tears, aud a very considerable de duction in 1842, it is not recommended that Con gress should undertake to modify the prc*entTa- riir. so as to disturb tho principles 011 which the compromise act was passed. Taxation on some of the articles of general consumption, which are not in competition with our own productions, may he, 110 doubt so diminished, as t-» lessen to some extent, the scurco of this revenue; ami tho saino object can also he assisted by tnoic liberal provisions for the sulypets of public defence, which, in the presout slate of our prosperity and wealth, may he expected to engage your atten tion. If. however, after satisfying all tbo dews* atids which can arise from these sources, the on expended balance in tho Treasury should sn:' continue 10 increase, it would he belter to bear with the evil until the great changes contempt; ted in our Tariff laws have occurred, and siiail enable us to revise the system with that earonn : circumspection which arc due to so delicate- amt ■ important a suhject.J It is certainly our duty to diminish, as far r - we can, the burdens of taxation, and t;> regar • all tho restrictions which aro imposed on il • trade and navigation of our citizens, as ev. - which we shall mitigate whenever wo are m- prevented bv the adverse legist-ition and pen. of foreign uations, or tboso primary duties whit the defence and independence of otir country en - jo'fi upon us. That wc have accomplished mttri j towards the relief of our citizens by-the change*